Ornamental rhythmic fountain

Claim 1

An ornamental rhythmic fountain intended for placement in a water retaining basin having an initial supply of water at a normal water level disposed therein, the fountain comprising a supporting frame having a base portion with leg members depending downwardly and outwardly therefrom adapted to engage the basin bottom surface to support the base at a distance thereabove beneath the normal water level, a vase member having a bottom surface removably secured to the support base with the vase extending upwardly therefrom terminating in a rim portion surrounding a compartment defined interiorly of the vase and opening outwardly and upwardly from the vase between the rim portion, a plurality of foliage simulating members in the form of leaves and the like projecting upwardly and outwardly of the vase compartment terminating a distance upwardly and outwardly therefrom, a plurality of leaf like members disposed above the rim of the vase at a level approximately equal to the height of the foliage within the vase compartment above the vase rim, the leaf members being angularly disposed at equal distances about the vase and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, each leaf member including a base portion disposed nearest the vase foliage and a tip portion disposed furthest therefrom with such base and tip being interconnected by a body portion, a plurality of flexible rods adapted to fixedly support the leaf members above the vase, the bottom surface of each leaf member fixedly attached to one end of an associated flexible rod which then projects downwardly and inwardly therefrom with the opposite rod end portion fastened to a leg of the supporting frame at a position disposed beneath the normal water level, a plurality of inverted J-shaped water delivery tubes equal in number to the number of leaf like members with a tube associated with each leaf member, each tube having a stem portion disposed approximately centrally of the vase and projecting axially outwardly therefrom to a position above the level of the associated leaf member, with each tube having a curved head portion connected with the tube and curving to a position above the associated leaf member in a manner to discharge water from the tube onto the body and tip portions of the leaf member, each stem provided with an inlet opening in fluid communication with a water supply pipe extending through the support base and vase bottom surface and joined in fluid connection with each of the water carrying tubes, the opposite end of the water pipe connected to a water flow control valve operable to control the flow of water through the pipe and the associated water delivery tubes, the water flow control valve adapted to be connected by a flexible hose to a motor driven water pump in a manner to effect circulation of the water from the basin upwardly through the water pipe to be discharged from the water delivery tubes onto the top surface of the associated leaf members, the force of the water impinging on such leaf members effecting the outward and downward movement thereof with the associated flexing of the associated rod supporting the same, the force of the rod tending to restore the leaf member to its normal position, and the leaf member having a contoured top surface simulating a leaf which contours serve to deflect the water discharged thereonto in a manner to reduce the water force on the leaf member the further the leaf member is deflected from its normal position such that between the forces of the water on the leaf member and the associated force of the flexible rod supporting the same the leaf provides a rhythmic rocking motion radially inwardly and outwardly of the vase providing a pleasing appearance simulatory of noRmal plant and leaf movement.